CCW for Big Guys...Reccomendations?

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chopper180

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Ok here's the deal: I'm looking for a CCW and have had a hard time in the past finding something I could conceal comfortably.

It should be noted here that I'm between 6' and 6'1 depending on which gas station I'm leaving, and weigh in at 300 lbs. Not exactly a poster boy for bowflex (unless you're talking about the "before" pic).

I'd like to hear from some of the bigger guys on this forum regarding what they carry and how they conceal it.

I'm in the market for a new CCW but like I said, haven't had much success to date. Here's what I've tried so far:

Springfield XD - great gun, but too big (thick) for me to effectively conceal

Glock - see above

Taurus/Smith/Colt snubnose - these conceal the best, but only 5 shots and quite a bit of recoil

Kahr - again, quite a bit of felt recoil, reliability issues

Springfield/Colt 1911 - these concealed well also but had reliability issues with both

Ultimately I'd like to find a 1911 that is as reliable as the XD/Glock. I know there are a lot of 1911 fans here, but I've been burned twice, the Colt was a mil-spec, the Springfield was a "loaded" model

Barring a 1911, I'd like to find a way to effectively conceal a double stack without it printing (particularly when I sit and my considerable girth expands horizontally)

Thanks!
 
I'm not far behind you in size - 6'1'', 245 lb. First of all, I always carry OWB. IWB just doesn't work and is uncomfortable. I have 2 pistols I regularly carry and conceal well. The first one is a Kahr CW9. The second is a Glock G36. I have read about difficulties with Kahr's but mine has been completely trouble free. The G36 has also been trouble free but recoil is a lot greater. You will no doubt get a gun once in a while that will give you troubles but that is in anything. I also occassionally carry a Commander 1911 with no problems. If you wear a safari vest, untucked shirt, or in my case a baggy 2X T-shirt, concealing isn't a big problem. Be sure to get a good belt to go along with what ever holster you get. Also remember dark colors conceal better than lighter ones.

Depending on the caliber you choose to carry, stay with a slim slide and frame. You will hear gasps from some, but the Taurus PT111 Pro is also a good carry gun. If you prefer something with more power than a 9mm there are several .40's in about the same size.
 
i know a guy who had a 1911 that was as reliable as a glock but he lost it on his last unicorn hunt
 
I'm not near your size and I can hide an XD or 1911 or Glock just fine.

What holster(s) have you tried? That makes a big difference when it comes to concealability.
 
David E said:
I'm not near your size and I can hide an XD or 1911 or Glock just fine.

What holster(s) have you tried? That makes a big difference when it comes to concealability.
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David,

I think my size is working against me here, not with me. You'd think that with all the extra padding, I'd be able to hide a 12 gauge, but surprisingly not. Plus, I live in NC where it's really miserable during the summer, so adding extra clothes is NOT an option. It could be a holster issue, hopefully someone will chime in with a gun/holster combo that works for them

I'm starting to think that OWB is the way to go, since almost all the holsters I've tried have been IWB
 
I agree with David. I'm 5'7" and more portly than you, and my regular concealed carry is a full size HK USP .45. The trick is in the placement and what clothes you wear. I almost always carry inside the waste band at the small of my back.

All you need is a good thin holster, a good belt, and a baggy tshirt (for summer) and jacket or coat (in winter).

No one will see when you're seated - because you're practically sitting on it. No one will see it from the front - it's behind you. And no one will see if from the back unless you bend over in front of them or your shirt rides up.

The Bianchi Model 6D - ATB is perfect for this. I've had Galco's, Uncle Mike's and everything in between, but I always end up back with the Bianchi 6D-ATB.

http://www.bianchi-intl.com/product/Prod.php?TxtModelID=6D
 
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My CCW is a 45 Kimber Pro Crimson Carry. It's not a fulll size 1911 but it's not compact either. I always carry it IWB slightly forward of strong side. I second the comment about the holster making a big difference.

Luckily I have access to a local guy who makes complete custom kydex holsters one at a time. He makes them exactly the way you want them. If it wasn't for the custom built holster I wouldn't be able to conceal a 4 inch 1911. He got the cant just right and the belt clips in the best position so it barely prints. He even mad it so that I can tuck in my shirt. The only problem was I had to give up my gun for a few days so he could make the molds. I have been using this holster since June and have become so used to it I don't even feel it anymore.

All other holsters I tried either printed the butt of the gun or was uncomfortable.

I forgot to mention I am just about your size too.
 
Z_Man said:
My CCW is a 45 Kimber Pro Crimson Carry. It's not a fulll size 1911 but it's not compact either. I always carry it IWB slightly forward of strong side. I second the comment about the holster making a big difference.

Luckily I have access to a local guy who makes complete custom kydex holsters one at a time. He makes them exactly the way you want them. If it wasn't for the custom built holster I wouldn't be able to conceal a 4 inch 1911. He got the cant just right and the belt clips in the best position so it barely prints. He even mad it so that I can tuck in my shirt. The only problem was I had to give up my gun for a few days so he could make the molds. I have been using this holster since June and have become so used to it I don't even feel it anymore.

All other holsters I tried either printed the butt of the gun or was uncomfortable.

I forgot to mention I am just about your size too.
Click to expand...
I may need to pay your guy a visit, do you have any contact info for him? I'm also in NC
 
Tom2112 said:
I agree with David. I'm 5'7" and more portly than you, and my regular concealed carry is a full size HK USP .45. The trick is in the placement and what clothes you wear. I almost always carry inside the waste band at the small of my back.

All you need is a good thin holster, a good belt, and a baggy tshirt (for summer) and jacket or coat (in winter).

No one will see when you're seated - because you're practically sitting on it. No one will see it from the front - it's behind you. And no one will see if from the back unless you bend over in front of them or your shirt rides up.

The Bianchi Model 6D - ATB is perfect for this. I've had Galco's, Uncle Mike's and everything in between, but I always end up back with the Bianchi 6D-ATB.

http://www.bianchi-intl.com/product/Prod.php?TxtModelID=6D
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Do you carry the HK tilted in the SOB? Just wondering as that seems the only way that it would be comfortable/accessible/concealable

Also, doesn't that tend to make your pants want to fall? Seems like that would be a lot of weight

Thanks
 
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I'm starting to think that OWB is the way to go, since almost all the holsters I've tried have been IWB
Click to expand...

Speaking from experience when you have a few extra rolls you don’t want a holster that rides high and tight, at least I don’t. I’m comfortable with an OWB holster for either carry gun and I buy my shirts 1 size bigger and long.
 
I'm 5"10" and 185lbs. for reference. To me it all has to do with the holster, placement, and clothes. In the summer I carry my XD-9 sub-compact IWB (Bluegrass Hybrid Holster) at 3:00 when wearing a T-shirt and shorts. If I'm wearing a slightly bigger shirt I can easily hide my XD-45 compact in the same setup. Typically I wear an untucked Hawaiian (minus the obnoxious prints) cut shirt with an undershirt just because I don't like sweat rings on my shirts. I am one of those "I have to wear a T-shirt under everything" kinda guys. Plus it keeps the gun off the skin. In winter when I wear a jacket just about everywhere I can easily hide my full-sized Witness Stock in .40S&W or my CZ SP-01 9mm in an el cheapo leather OWB slide holster. I wore an untucked Henley shirt today with my SP-01 OWB under it and no one was the wiser. A good belt does a lot to making the gun stable and pulling it close to the body.
 
I'll send you a PM with his email address. I can't find his business card at the moment. I'm pretty sure he will be at the Greensboro Gun Show on Feb 6-7. He won't be selling anything since all of his stuff is custom made but he goes to advertise with some examples on the table. He does this as a hobby to help folks. He enjoys it. Really a nice guy and he won't be happy unless you are completely satisfied with the design.
 
Maybe a Kahr K9 or K40, as they are still very flat, but steel and slightly larger for good recoil control.
 
I go with an angled-down shoulder rig made from parts of other rigs. Alternate carry is jacket pocket. I'm also going to experiment with a fatboy maxpedition strong side carry in the winter when I have all kinds of crud on for the bike.
 
I'm 6'4'' and 310 lbs. I find that when your 6' plus, appendix carry can often lead to exposing the gun when bending over (depending on if you have a long torso, I do)

As such, I usually carry at 12:30 assuming my navel is 12:00 and only carry appendix style when I have a longer shirt on.

The most comfortable guns are the smallest (kel tec p11, J-frame, Colt mustang)

but the most often carried for me are (glock 23, colt LW commander)

the holster is the key. I spent 55 bucks on a decent one, and haven't looked back.
 
What holster do you use to carry the Glock 23 in? I'd thought about that or a 36, but it seems that the 36 isn't that much smaller than the 23. I've never had a problem out of any Glock I've owned (or XD for that matter) so that's what I'm leaning toward if it's possible for me to conceal it well
 
I'm also going to experiment with a fatboy maxpedition strong side carry in the winter when I have all kinds of crud on for the bike.
Click to expand...

Hey Cosmoline, I bought a Maxpedition for the same reason. Love the pack, but it straight up sucks on a bike. It will constantly fall in front of you, and when you use the belt-loop as well, it feels like it's trying to drag your pants over the side at the same time. Great bag for hiking, not good on a bike or motorcycle.
 
6'4", 265 here. IWB doesn't work for me due to Dunlop's disease. My general CCW is a M&P9c in a paddle, appendix positioned. Sometimes I carry my Springer Loaded 1911 in a custom ultra high, FBI cant in the same position. Deep concealment is a Taurus 85 with a custom OWB straight cant at 1:30. Even deeper is a NAA 22 mag in my pocket in a holster I made myself from pigskin suede(rough side out) with a pocket hook ala Desantis Nemesis.

Shoulder is reserved for open carry
 
Ahhh the quest for power and size. In the summer I carry an LCP in my front pocket w/ a Galco pocket holster.

Winter/fall/spring I carry my scandium 325pd 45acp in a DeSantis OWB holster designed for a Ruger Alaskan.

The LCP is a compromise, but better than a sharp stick

The 325pd is huge, but so light (23oz) it fits real good.

I dont do IWB its hard enough keeping my pants up as it is

FWIW Im 6' 340lbs...

No one really notices what Im carrying and Im in Illinois where guns are considered pure evil. I can carry because Im an LEO
 
A good belt is a must. It can make or break carrying. I carry a snub OWB or front pocket, or a CZ82 IWB in a crossbreed supertuck. All of this is with a Beltman belt.

Also a good holster goes a long way, but you would be surprised of how much a stiff belt helps.
 
Chopper:

I'm 6'4" and around the 300lb mark, depending on...well, nevermind. Let's just say I'm a big ol' boy. I feel your pain looking for a comfortable CCW. Here's where I'm at.

Day in and day out, I pocket carry a Ruger LCR with a Blackhawk pocket holster. It's lightweight, discreet, and I don't have the problem of hitting a mag release and dropping a mag (I had this problem with a Kel Tec PF9).

I have three children in school, one of which is in daycare, so I have to disarm every morning and evening going in. The pocket carry option makes that easy and quick to do in the car before going into the daycare.

My second choice is to carry the LCR with a Crossbreed Quick Clip at about the 8 o'clock position, IWB, with the muzzle resting near my left hip pocket. This works well for me. It doesn't bulge out of my side and look like I have some sort of tumor. It's tuckable and it's clip is easy to manipulate take the holster off if I need. It's comfortable for all-day carry and whether sitting, standing, or walking it stays put. The Crossbreed Quick Clip is adjustable with three different cant positions so you can try it straight up/down, FBI style, or cross-draw. I like the cross-draw for walking/standing, but when sitting it digs into the front of my right leg and gets uncomfortable after a little bit.

Third choice for Saturday and day off carry is an OWB slide holster for my Rock Island Compact 1911 - which I highly recommend as mine has been flawless with 700+ rounds through it, a mix of handloads and factory ammo. I don't have an IWB holster yet for this gun, but that's on my short-list of things to get. The drawback for the OWB slide is that a cover garment - whether a jacket, sweater, or just an untucked shirt - has to be worn. As my job requires a tucked-in shirt, this doesn't get a lot of carry. I did do it a few times this winter when it was cold enough I could get away with the dress sweater thing. This is very comfortable, though, and if you can carry this way, I like it very much.

For me, 9 o'clock does not work at all - especially IWB. It looks like I have a tumor or something growing out of my hip. It doesn't appear to be a gun, but it's OBVIOUS something is there. I like the crossdraw position, but again, the sitting issue doesn't let me do it much.

As a final note, a good belt helps a great deal. I bought a belt from Looper leather and he made it in my size. I commend his work (and his slide holster) highly.

If you have questions PM me and I would be happy to help if I can.

Q
 
Just wanted to take a minute to say thanks to everyone for the help. Sounds like my problem in the past may not have been the size/shape of the gun but the belt/holster combo.

Now I just need to figure out which gun to carry...
 
I carry either J frame in pocket holster, J frame with Barami Hip Grip (appendix)
or larger Glock or 1911 or Smith M29 in shoulder holster. I am looking for OWB
and/or IWB holsters from :

http://www.crossbreedholsters.com/

They have a good reputation and guarantee. Give them
a call and describe what your trying to do. Good luck.
 
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